Tuesday, February 28, 2012

AVEDON: CATACOMBS OF THE CAPUCHIN MONKS

The unique, rarely photographed Catacombs of the Capuchin monks in Palermo remain today a bizaare testament to man's enduring vision of immortality.

Dressed for resurrection on the Day of Judgment in robes of stubbornly worldly splendor, distinguished commoners, noblemen, even converted Arab princes throng to subterranean corridors. Among the eight thousand, the most astounding is the child you see here: one hundred years after her death -- by grace of some mysterious Capuchin art -- she remains fully fleshed, crowned by leaves, the power of her beauty almost undiminished.